Bradley Countertop Smoking: Easy, But Still Best Outdoors

Long ago, in a state far away from our new Manhattan offices, we had plenty of space. It was a time when we could easily fit a Kegerator inside without worrying about losing desk space, and house an enormous smoker while working on our foodie credentials. After all, there’s nothing better than artisinal bacon, and nothing is fresher than when you do-it-yourself. But times have changed, and in New York City, you’re unlikely to have room and neither do we.

Which is why we were excited to try out the new Bradley Countertop Smoker, a two-rack unit about the size of a big microwave. The digital controls and temperature display allow you to dial in your temperature- sort of- and let the smoker do the trick, for up to six hours. The automatic smoke generator and built-in fans circulate the smoke for optimal flavor penetration, and it’s best to leave some space all around your cuts to allow that air around. You can even do entire chickens or other smaller birds. The smoker uses their standard briquettes, with a feeder system that did have occasional trouble, but allows you to choose from a variety of their dozen flavors, and even alternate the briquettes as you wish. They offer plenty of options, from classic Hickory to Mesquite, Whiskey Oak, Maple, Pecan, and many more.

We liked the size of the unit, perfect for anyone who doesn’t need to smoke that much at a time, and the temperature range will cover most use cases, from 140 to ~340 degrees Fahrenheit, just low enough to smoke salmon, and suitable for most meats, even nuts. Depending on the conditions, you might notice some temperature variations, as it’s not completely sealed. The same goes in reverse- we found ourselves a little smoky when trying the unit indoors, and you’ll have to have it properly vented (near a window or a hood), or use in a garage or other area with plenty of space and airflow. They do caution you, though perhaps not enough. Trust us: opening the front door during smoking will set off your smoke alarm. The cord isn’t that long, though, so you’ll need a little preparation. And, as we alluded to above, you don’t really set the temperature directly, more the power level, from five presets.

About the Author

Greg Greg dreamed up the idea for the Truly Network while living in Hawaii, which began with a single site called TrulyObscure. In 2010, when advertisers and readers were requesting coverage beyond the scope of that site, TrulyNet was launched, reaching a broader audience over a variety of niche sites.
Formerly the head technology correspondent for the Des Moines Register at age 16, he has since lived and worked in five states and two countries, helping a list of organizations and companies that includes the United States Census Bureau, TripAdvisor, Events Photo Group, Berlitz, and Computer Geeks. He also served as the Content Strategy Manager for HearPlanet, a multi-platform app that has reached over a million users and has been featured in the New York Times, Hemispheres Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Fox Business News, PC Magazine, and even Apple’s own iPhone ads.
Greg has written as a restaurant critic and feature journalist for a number of national and international publications, including City Weekend Magazine, Red Egg Magazine, the Newton Daily News, Capital Change Magazine, and an arm of China Daily, Beijing Weekend. In addition, he has served as a consulting editor for the Foreign Language Press of Beijing, as well as a writer and editor for the George Washington University Hatchet, the school newspaper of his alma mater.
Originally from Iowa, Greg is currently living in the West Village of Manhattan.